Materials, accessories and, of course, the right plant life are important aspects of a romantic cottage-style garden design that brings elegance and beauty to your outdoor space, as well as your home. Winding natural walkways, lined with flowering plants and shaded by stately trees, lush gardens to relax and play in, and traditional county cottage-style fixtures create a simple outdoor living room filled with beauty that complements your home.
English garden path construction
Secluded walkways with graceful curves and abundant, free-flowing plant life are the foundation for creating genuine English landscape design. Garden paths meander through the landscape, allowing you to peacefully enjoy the pleasures of nature. The materials used to build the walkways are the key to a romantic and English atmosphere.
These materials and design tips are perfect for your English garden-style outdoor living room:
- natural materialsLike gravel and bark, they create beautiful pathways with a simplistic look. These materials are inexpensive and relatively low maintenance.
- stylish brick or stone pavers are a more luxurious option as they bring an element of charm and grace to your exterior design.
- combine stonegravel and brick materials for a more genuine English garden landscape design.
- Avoid formal angles and conservative patterns, integrating smooth lines and curved designs that suggest romance.
The charm of English garden accessories
Your quaint English garden should be a relaxing and peaceful place that allows you to enjoy the beauty of life in the great outdoors. The garden accessories you choose are a major influence on the overall atmosphere and theme of your outdoor space. Select décor that complements the natural, flowing uniqueness of the English countryside.
Green gardens with picturesque views of the most beautiful aspects of your design are made functional with wooden garden furniture, such as teak, which has an old and aged look. Romantic benches or intimate cottage-style outdoor furniture, along with quaint gazebos and fragrance-adorned trellises, create country appeal without detracting from the modern beauty of your home. Gazebos, quaint footbridges, and rustic fences can also add to the charm of your country-style garden.
The role of wildlife in the English garden
Traditional English gardens abounded with a variety of insects, birds, and other wildlife that only complement the natural beauty of this style of landscape. Garden accessories such as water gardens and rustic birdbaths or feeders are one way to attract a number of species to your outdoor space.
Certain plants and ground covers are known to attract wildlife such as butterflies and hummingbirds. Plant scented lavender, clover, and small shrubs with brightly colored berries throughout the garden. Pristine grasslands and natural rock arrangements also invite area wildlife.
english garden plants
The country garden style is characterized by a luxurious array of flowers, shrubs and vines in a rainbow of vibrant hues, complemented by stately curving trees that provide soothing shade from the afternoon sun.
Select a variety of country garden plants for your design, including flowers that provide color for each season. Some flowers and shrubs to consider are:
- traditional country rose bushes, scented honeysuckle, foxglove and primroses, and the elegant native lily of the valley are excellent plants for shady areas.
- potted herb gardens and pots filled with cornflowers, violas, and petunias can also tolerate the quiet shade of your English garden.
- native flowerspeonies, easy-care geraniums, and luxuriously fragrant sweet peas are other suggestions.
English garden landscape designs provide unique outdoor living areas with a fun and whimsical atmosphere. A landscape design plan that blends the style of your home with the simple, natural charm of your outdoor space can be perfected with the help of a professional landscape architect or landscape designer. Your design firm can also offer advice on the best country garden style for you and your home.
